Eighteenth Century adaptation

Tercios early C18th

This adaptation arose from dissatisfaction with Black Powder and its “Newbury-rules-lite” support rules and command rules. We’ve playtested this several times and it is designed to require generals to adopt linear tactics of the time. It is designed to cover 1700-1760 in the European theatre. The results scratched an itch with infantry lines grinding forward with volley fire in the centre while cavalry fight for supremacy and control of the wings. I’ve deliberately not gone into the AWI or Napoleonic when tactical styles changed. This is a set of rules for the age of drinking port and wearing powdery wigs. If anyone is interested I’ll post some army lists.


1. Units

The basic unit is the battalion which we will standardize at a 4 stand infantry group M4 F4 A4 C4 disc 4 Stam 4 inf 4+ Cav 4+ salvo 4+ Art 4+
Flintlock + bayonet
150 points
Regimental gun (F5) +20 pts
Novice (D3) -10 pts
Veterans (D5) +10 pts
Wavering or militia (C3) -15 pts
Grenades +5 pts
Drilled +10 pts

Note that non-disordered infantry with bayonets receive assault + vs cav.  
Units in Line Formation have a modified version of Open in that they may interpenetrate other line formations but suffer the effects of terrain.

Companies
Smaller special groups of 2 stands
Grenadier companies 2 stand
M5 F3 A3 C3 Disc5 Stam 3 inf 4+ Cav 4+ salvo 4+ Art 4+
Flintlock + bayonet+grenades
100 pts

Light companies 2 stand
M5 F3 A2 C3 Disc3 Stam 2 inf 3+ Cav 3+ salvo 4+ Art 4+
Open, light, skirmishers
75 pts
Veteran (D4) +10
Skirmishers (c2) -10pts

Later in the period, there is the accumulation of grenadiers into larger units equivalent to a battalion
M4 F4 A5 C4 Disc 5 Stam 4 inf 4+ Cav 4+ salvo 4+ Art 4+
Flintlock, bayonet and grenades.
160 pts

Light Troops: could be formed in large groups such as Austrian Grenze battalions
M5 F3 A3 C4 Disc4 Stam 3 inf 4+ Cav 3+ salvo 4+ Art 4+
Ambush, light, open
120 pts

Cavalry

Dragoons etc.
M8 F0 A4 C3 Disc 3 Stam 3 inf 4+ cav 4+ salvo 3+ Art 4+
85 pts
Cuirassiers (C4) +10 pts
Veterans (D4) +10 pts

Light Horse
M9 F0 A3 C3 D3 Stam 2 inf 4+ cav 4+ salvo 3+ Art 4+
Light
65 pts
Hussars A4 Stam 3 +20 pts
Veteran D4 +10 pts



2. Formations
The period saw the increase in the complexity of formations required to get troops onto a battlefield and ready to fight.

Line “Ordre mince” ( covers lines 2-4 deep).
Represented by 4 stands in a row with suggested frontage of 16cms

   - [ ] unit may receive brigade orders
   - [ ] Unit may not run except as a reaction order (away)
   - [ ] Unit may assault but only at m not m+
   - [ ] Unit fires at normal full effect.(modified by first fire allowance and the benefit of shooting at <6”)

Line “Ordre profond”.(covers lines 4-8 deep particularly early French and Ottomans) represented by 4 stands 2x2 with a frontage of 8cms
   - [ ] Unit may receive brigade orders
   - [ ] Unit may assault at M+ but cannot run except as a reaction order (I.e. away).
   - [ ] Unit may fire -
   - [ ] Unit may assault+
   - [ ] Unit has courage - from salvo at half range or less

Column (includes mobs, Jacobites etc).
- [ ] Unit may form brigade.
- [ ] Unit may run
- [ ] Unit fires at effect - -
- [ ] Unit assaults at effect +
- [ ] Unit has courage- a) vs artillery or b) salvos at half range or less.

Infantry square
- [ ] Units can be told to form square (Resist ) with a brigade order but require separate Ready orders to emerge from square.
- [ ] Unit moves at - -
- [ ] Unit fires at - but has extended arcs
- [ ] Unit Gains Courage ++ vs cavalry if not disordered
- [ ] Unit loses a) Courage - - vs artillery fire and b) courage - vs salvo at half range or less.

All gains and losses are cumulative so an ordre profond French battalion would assault an enemy at A + +

Orders

- [ ] Run: see above subject to formation
- [ ] Ready: unless “drilled”, changing formation consumes both allowed actions.
- [ ] Assault : normal
- [ ] Fire: first fire by a unit gains fire+
- [ ] Resist: as normal but may also be used to form square

Movement
Oblique movement permitted at move - ( if late enough and army has adopted cadenced step)

Break points:
a significant difference.
The number of dice = discipline with a target of 6
The number of dice actually rolled is modified by:
Either flank not supported -1 dice
No rear support -1 dice
Officer with unit +1 dice
Basically it is essential to protect your flanks and have rear support or your troops will crack. This is deliberately intended to create linear tactics.
A flank is deemed supported by a friendly unit within 4” to the side or rear (to allow echelon approaches)

Artillery as normal. No batteries larger than 2.
Battalion guns an option.

Flintlocks have 12” range and gain Fire+ at range < 6”

Traits

Drilled: may change formation and perform an action with a ready order (Prussians).
Vanguard (may advance a column move and then change formation. A Prussian trait.



Set up. As normal unless one general is Reformed Prussian. In which case the other side deploys first.

Great !!! Thank you very much

Great indeed ! I was just lurking around to get some WSS minis. I think Ebor miniatures send good stuff.

By the way, do you have some pictures of your units "in action" ? And, why not, a battle report like ?

Batrep 08”04.23. Somewhere in Bohemia.

A classic Austrian Prussian clash with infantry in the centre and cavalry on the flanks. Both sides deployed their artillery in front of their own infantry.

The infantry advanced slowly, the front ranks engaging with longer range volleys but as they closed the fresh second ranks stepped through and delivered first fire short range volleys leaving both sides either weary or disordered. However, both sides could claim secured flanks and rear support which allowed them to endure the onslaught. Eventually a hole broke in the Prussian line!


Meanwhile on the Austrian right wing two of its three squadrons were shattered defending the hill but, after 5 turns succeeded in breaking the Prussian horse against them. The last squadron roared forward to a point behind the enemy line causing consternation (and deducting 1d from Prussian discipline rolls). On the left flank, the Austrians fought valiantly but were almost overwhelmed. Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, they ran back to their lines fending off the Hussars chasing after them.

By the end of turn 6, the Prussian centre began to collapse and ceded the field. My thanks to my good lady wife for fielding the Prussians. The following day, she smashed me at Black Seas.

Overall, the lessons to be learned are…

1. Keep the infantry lines moving forward, closely supported. A combo of fire orders for the front rank and ready for the second rank to step them and deliver another volley works well.
2. Protect the flanks and don’t send your cavalry off on wild adventures
3. Try to place your artillery somewhere they will not be immediately masked as their infantry advances.

Jolly good fun!

Nice. Thank you !